The Links At Spanish Bay
Pebble Beach, CA, United States • Public
Sherman Chu
Jeff Marsh
Channing Benjamin
Overview
The Links at Spanish Bay was the first true links course built in America in many decades, but it took years for conveyor belts to deposit sand atop exposed bed rock to return this mined-out sand quarry back to a linkland site. The trio of designers, playfully dubbed "The Holy Trinity," thoughtfully shaped an 18 that looks natural, plays strategically and is sensitive to the coastal wetland environment.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked 95th, 1991-'92. Ranked 99th, 1997-'98.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013 through 2018.
Highest ranking: No. 186, 2013-'14.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since inaugural edition in 2003-'04.
Highest ranking: No. 44, 2017-'18.
Previous ranking: No. 53.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 48.
Best in State: Ranked in the top 30 in all editions.
2023-'24 ranking: 32nd.
Previous ranking: 29th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Beautiful, but playing this course requires patience and several sleeves of balls."
Read More2023
Review
“Scottish like links course set predominately amongst dunes bordering and running down to the Pacific Ocean. All but four of the holes play along and or have views of the ocean. Course was firm when played albeit the fairways did not release / run as expected due to recent rains. Several holes offered risk reward opportunities off the tee or required targeted tee shots to avoid running through the end of the fairway. Accurate tee shots were also a must in order to effectively open up large to moderate sized tiered greens for the second shot. Greens were firm and receptive with most either slopping back to front or having significant ridges or terraces. Fairly constant winds off the ocean also complicated appropriate club selection and added to the overall challenge of playing the course."
Read More2023
Review
“Great views from several holes and a good test of golf."
Read More2023
Review
“The first 8 holes are as good as you'll find in golf. Views of the Pacific go without saying especially with the sun dipping into the ocean coming downhill on the long par five 14th hole. Steep back drop-offs on greens as well as unique distinctiveness, speed and undulation provide plenty of challenge. The final few holes feel like a bit of a letdown with only minimal creativity crafted in, compared with what the front nine presents. The triple bunkering effect on holes 3, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17 and 18 is a nice stylistic tie-together."
Read More2022
Review
“Great golf course!!!"
Read More2022
Review
“Spanish Bay is a great links style course with amazing views from almost every hole. It requires precise approach shots and placement on the greens to score well."
Read More2022
Review
“A terrific seaside course that doesn't quite play like a links course but is still excellent."
Read More2022
Review
“If The Links at Spanish Bay wasn't living in the shadow of the world class course down the road, most would recommend it, alone, as a destination course. It is one of America's great links design experiences."
Read More2019
Review
“Lovely setting, great views, very expensive, and only ok golf."
Read More2018
Review
“Such a great location and the smell of the salt air is incredible. However, the course just does not get me excited. A sense that they didn't get the most out of the location."
Read More2018
Readers
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